Lohari

Festival falling on the night before
Makara Sankranti, the day when the
sun moves into the zodiological sign of
Capricorn, which almost always falls on
January 14. The central focus of this festival is a large bonfire. Celebrants collect
fuel for weeks beforehand, lighting the
fire on the evening of the festival. People
dance, sing, and walk around the fire,
giving the fire offerings of sweets, fried
snacks, and peanuts; these same items
are also given to those present as prasad
or sanctified food.
Lohari is a seasonal festival, marking
the passing of the coldest period of the
winter and anticipating the return of
warmer weather, symbolized by the fire.
This festival is celebrated in the Punjab
and in northern India where Punjabis
have settled. This festival also serves as a
public display recognizing some change
within the family. Families that have
recorded marriages or births in the past
year celebrate with particular fervor,
whereas families in which a person has
died usually refrain.